A brave young boy who survived a vicious pitbull attack nearly five months ago returned to school for the first time yesterday and declared: "I’m so happy to be back."
Alejandro Mizsan, 10, decided he was ready to get back to his friends and teachers at St Aidan’s in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, as he hit another milestone following the incident last year.
His older brother Raul said: "It was great to see. He was very excited. He was happy to be going back to school.
READ MORE - Family of pitbull attack victim welcome new laws cracking down on dangerous dogs
"He wanted to go back to school now because he said that he wanted to go back to his friends.
"He absolutely loves school and not being in school for him was like a punishment for him so it’s great that he’s back."
Alejandro spent seven weeks in Crumlin Children’s Hospital undergoing treatment and surgeries after being mauled in his housing estate in Enniscorthy on November 27.
He suffered life-changing injuries, with the dog – later put down – tearing off his bottom lip and mauling each of his cheeks as well as injuring the boy’s body and legs.
Although he has been home since early January, Alejandro’s family did not want to rush him back into anything.
But Raul told us: "Of course I’m very proud of him. All the family is very happy, everything is back to normal. Everything feels like it’s back to normal, obviously he still has the scars and has to get more surgery, but apart from that everything is back to normal.
"It’s an important milestone for him.
"He said, ‘I’m so happy to be back’ and that he is delighted to see his teachers. He’s also happy that his life is getting back to normal."
Alejandro’s family are making preparations for him to undergo more surgery this summer.
Raul explained: "We think he will get surgery in August, we’re still finalising it all."
Following the attack on Alejandro, it sparked a fresh review by the Government on rules surrounding dogs.
New proposals which were brought to Cabinet recently would see the doubling of fines under the Control of Dogs Act from €2,500 to €5,000.
And at least 40 new dog wardens are to be hired along with other measures being put in place.
Speaking after that move, Raul said: "Unfortunately this happened to Alejandro but we do not want anybody else to suffer the horrors like we have.
"And at least the attack on him did not go unnoticed, change is coming and everything needs to be done to prevent these attacks in the future."
Alejandro’s family have also been overwhelmed by support from the public, which saw €193,000 raised for the boy’s treatment.
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